P&O Cruises expands shorter duration sailings

A round-Britain voyage and a doubling in the number of shorter, taster cruises are among highlights of P&O Cruises’ programme for 2009.

The line’s smallest ship Artemis will run an 11-night debut tour of the British Isles departing on July 5, 2009 with ports of call including Leith for Edinburgh, Invergordon, Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands, Moville for Londonderry, Greenock for Glasgow, Dublin, Falmouth and St Peter Port in Guernsey.

Sixteen cruises of between two and seven nights duration will run in 2009, double the number scheduled for this year, including breaks on new ship Ventura and Oceana.

Ventura, the largest ship in the fleet, will operate its first full year of itineraries, with 19 departures from Southampton and 10 fly-cruise holidays from Barbados.

The 2009 programme is 30% bigger than this year’s due to the first full 12 months of Ventura being in service.

In total, P&O Cruises will offer cruise holidays to 235 destinations in 82 countries during 2009. New ports of call include Antwerp in Belgium, the island of Hvar in Croatia and La Spezia in Italy.

But the company is in the process of removing Tripoli in Libya from itineraries for the remainder of this year and 2009 due to uncertainties as to whether local authorities will allow ships into port.

The company has also sought to simplify the sales message for agents by having Ventura and Oceana run mainstream and shorter sailings, Aurora and Oriana sailing longer, more traditional cruises, Arcadia offering central Mediterranean and Northern Europe and Artemis running explorer voyages.

P&O Cruises managing director Nigel Esdale dismissed concerns over the economic situation and credit crunch, describing cruising as being traditionally resilient to market downturns, adding that yields have been holding up well.

However, he described 2009 as being a “pause year” for the industry following the entry of new capacity for the UK market in 2008.

“This will give an opportunity for agents to get more on the margin trail,” he said.

Esdale added: “Cruising is no longer a ‘one size fits all’ holiday and so we are working closely with agents to educate them on the different ships and experiences available within our fleet.

“If the right ship can be offered to the client every single time this will ensure maximum customer satisfaction and an increase in repeat bookings.

“Repeat and group bookings on shorter cruises are a lucrative commission opportunity for agents. A group of 20-somethings looking for a weekend away could be looking for their first family holiday in a few years’ time, and this is the kind of relationship we want to encourage through our agent partners.

“Cruise holidays are becoming an increasingly popular choice for younger couples and families and we have two ships within the fleet dedicated to serving this market in terms of length of holiday, destination, on board entertainment, facilities and dining, and pricing.

“Shorter cruises on Ventura and Oceana are the perfect choice for people who are new to cruising and want to see if it’s for them without being away for two weeks. In 2009 we are offering 16 such itineraries of either two or seven nights – this is double the amount we offered in 2008.”

Continuing a partnership started on Ventura, in 2009 Oceana will also be joined by Tate Modern and the remaining four ships in the fleet by Tate Britain, to present ‘Tate Talks’, a programme of lectures, interviews and creative workships which bring the world of modern art to life.

Early booking incentives are available before June 30, including up to 45% discount and free car parking on all Southampton departures, offering passengers up to an additional £115 saving on an average two week cruise, according to the company.

*All four family friendly ships in the fleet – Ventura, Oceana, Aurora and Oriana – will have re-branded children’s clubs by this summer. Both Noddy and Mr. Bump will also be on board popular family itineraries throughout the year to entertain the two to four and five to seven year olds.

*See separate Ventura ship review.

by Phil Davies